Martin halfpenny



(No Model.)`

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN HALEPENNY, OE PONTIAC, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT D. SCOTT, OF SAME PLACE.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,864, dated J' uly 5, 1898. Applica@ tied nec'emter 13,1897. sel-n1 No. 661,667.A (No man.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

v Be it known that I, MARTIN HALEPENNY, va citizen of the United States, residing at Pontiac, in the county of Oakland and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fifth-Wheels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists inthe construction of a fifth-wheel in whichthe axle is designed to have a vertical oscillating movement, and it consists particularly in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts, as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure l is avertical central longitudinal section through a fifth-wheel embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan, partly in section, on line oc m on Fig'. 1.y Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the reinforcing-plate for the axle-stock. Eig. 4 is a front elevation, showing the connection between the under circle and the axle-stock.

A are the reach members, which connect to the rear end of the upper circle B of a fifthwheel.

C is the under circle.

D is the king-bolt, passing through the two circles and upon which the under circle turns as its pivot.

E is a brace extending from the forward end of the reach or from the upper circle downwardly and forwardly and suitably apertured to receive and support the lower end of the king-bolt D. v

The under circle is provided with the downwardly-proj ecting lugs F, preferably forming, in eect, a yoke-shaped support for the axle, or, as in this case, for the axle-stock G, the axle being clipped or otherwise secured thereto, so as'to be, in effect, an integral part thereof. The axle is pivoted ona horizontal pivot,

. so that it may have a lateral vertical oscillation in this yoke. This pivot is formed by a bolt H, passing through the lugs or yoke F and through the axle-stock or the axle, if desired. This bolt H is provided with an eye J, through which the'king-bolt D passes and about which itV swivels.

K is a sleeve which Vspaces the bolt from lthe lower circle. This'sleeve may be, if desired, made simplyas an extension or thickening of the lower circle, or it may be, as shown, of a separate piece.

L is a reinforcing-plate on the axle-stock, having the side lugs M, embracing'the axlestock and by means of which it is secured thereto. It is also preferably provided with curved bearings N, on which the lower curved ends O of the lugs or yoke F engage to act as a reinforcement of the bolt and to take off someof the strain therefrom.

The details of this construction may be varied quite materially without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim- .1. In a fifth-wheel, the combination of the axle supported to oscillate vertically in the lower circle, a horizontal bolt on which the axle is pivotally supported, swiveled at its inner end about the king-bolt.

2. In a fifth-wheel, the combination of the two circles, the king-bolt passing through the same, a rigid brace for the lower end of the king-bolt, a bearing or yoke on the lower circle and the axle supported therein by a transverse pivotal bolt.

3. In a fth-wheel, the combination of the two circles, the king-bolt passing through the same and extending downward, a rigid brace for the lower end of the king-bolt, downwardly-projecting lugs on the under side of the lower circle, the axle between the lugs, and a bolt, swiveled on the king-bolt adjacent to the brace passing through the lugs and the axle, substantially as described.

4. In a fifth-wheel, the combination of the reach, the upper circleV secured thereto, the.

under circle, lugs depending from the under circle, a` bolt passing therethrough and through the axle-stock, a reinforcing-plate on the axle-stock, curved bearings N thereon in which the ends of the lugs bear, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN HALFPENNX. Witnesses: "i g EVEEETT S. WELD, JOHN GUMMEE. 

